James Comey attacks Republicans for failing to defend FBI from Trump: 'Someone has to stand up in the face of fear of Fox News'

President has referred to elements of the bureau as 'a cancer'

James Comey has launched a stinging rebuke on Republican politicians, accusing them of being too afraid of “Fox News” to protect the FBI from attacks by Donald Trump.

Appearing on Capitol Hill where he had been questioned behind closed doors about the 2016 FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server, Mr Comey attacked Republicans for remaining silent as the president attacked the organisation he once lead.

“So another day of Hillary Clinton’s emails and the Steele dossier,” Mr Comey told reporters after being interviewed for almost six hours.

“This while the president of the United States is lying about the FBI, attacking the FBI and attacking the rule of law in this country. How does that make any sense?”

He added: “Republicans used to understand that the actions of a president matter, the words of a president matter, the rule of law matters, and the truth matters. Where are those Republicans today.

“At some point, someone has to stand up and in the fear of Fox News and fear of their base, and fear of mean tweets, stand up for the values of this country and not slink away into retirement.”

Mr Comey, who was fired as director of the FBI by Mr Trump in May 2017, has since emerged as a persistent critic of the president, and a defender of the bureau. In a memoir published earlier this year, A Higher Loyalty, Mr Comey likened the president to a mafia boss and said he was a “deeply flawed person and leader”.

Mr Trump has been equally critical of Mr Comey, frequently attacking and insulting him on social media. The president has also repeatedly attacked both the FBI and the agents working for special counsel Robert Mueller. He has described Mr Mueller’s probe into Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with his campaign, as a “witch hunt”.

Mr Trump has been especially scornful of FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, who were dismissed from Mr Mueller’s team after text messages between the couple, who were having a relationship, came to light and revealed alleged bias against Mr Trump.

In an interview with The Hill in September, Mr Trump said the behaviour of the agents was “very, very sad for our country”.

“We have tremendous support by the way, to expose something that is truly a cancer in our country,” Mr Trump added. “When you look at the FBI, you know you have eight people or so fired now.

Appearing for the second time to give testimony to members of the House judiciary and oversight committees, Mr Comey said Republican silence over the attacks on the FBI was “shameful”.

“Somebody has to stand up and speak for the FBI,” he said. “The FBI’s reputation has taken a big hit because the president of the United States has lied about it constantly. That damage has nothing to do with me.”